Cracks Emerge In MVA As Shiv Sena (UBT) Blames Congress' 'Overconfidence' For Maharashtra Poll Disaster

Rifts have surfaced within the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) following its defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve accusing the Congress of being "overconfident" after its success in the Lok Sabha elections, reported India Today.

Danve claimed that the Congress was failing to value its allies - Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

Photo Credit: PTI

The MVA managed to secure only 46 of the 288 assembly seats, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) winning 20, Congress 16, and Sharad Pawar's NCP 10 in the polls held on November 20, with results announced three days later.

This was in stark contrast to their strong showing in the Lok Sabha elections, where they won 30 of Maharashtra's 48 seats.

"The Congress became overconfident after the Lok Sabha elections. The situation was favourable for the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Maharashtra. In Jharkhand, the JMM performed well on its own strength," Danve told reporters.

The Congress lost its early advantage in Haryana, allowing the BJP to secure a third consecutive victory despite facing anti-incumbency.

In Jammu and Kashmir, it failed to make significant inroads in the Jammu region, which was dominated by the BJP, although its INDIA bloc ally, the National Conference, formed the government with Congress' support. In Jharkhand, the JMM-led alliance emerged victorious, with the JMM winning 34 of 81 seats and the Congress 16.

Danve, who serves as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, criticised the Congress for failing to retain deposits in constituencies where they lost and accused it of undervaluing its partners.

"The Congress does not value the NCP and Shiv Sena. Until the last day, we were discussing seat-sharing and deciding on constituencies. This disorganisation affected our performance," he said.

"Many seats the Congress contested, citing surveys suggesting their chances of winning, saw them losing deposits. They secured only 5,500 votes in the Sambhaji Nagar seat. Congress leaders were tailoring suits in anticipation of taking cabinet oaths," he alleged.

Danve claimed that some Congress leaders began discussing cabinet portfolios even before the election results, and "ten leaders were keen on becoming the chief minister."

He argued that the MVA's chances would have improved had Uddhav Thackeray been projected as the chief ministerial candidate. "Public opinion was in favour of Thackeray because of the work he did as Chief Minister from 2019 to 2022," Danve stated.

Danve emphasised that the Shiv Sena (UBT) had increased its vote share in the seats it contested. He added that party candidates had conveyed to Uddhav Thackeray their intent to contest more seats to bring the Shiv Sena (UBT) to power independently in Maharashtra.

When asked about the possibility of the Shiv Sena (UBT) contesting the local body polls alone, Danve clarified, "We have never said the Shiv Sena (UBT) is leaving the MVA. The Shiv Sena (UBT) should strengthen its position across all 288 assembly seats."

(With PTI inputs)